Abstract: Self Help Graphics and Art was founded in
1970 in Boyle Heights by Sister Karen Boccalero, Carlos Bueno, Antonio
Ibañez and Frank Hernandez with a vision to begin an artistic
revolution. Today, it is the leading non-profit visual arts center
serving the predominantly Latino community of Los Angeles. Its mission
is to drive the creation of new work by Chicano and Latino artists
through fine art printmaking and multiple art forms. This collection
includes a set of atelier prints, administrative papers, exhibition
materials, photographs, slides, audio visual materials, and ephemera. It
spans the time period between 1973 and 2007 with the bulk of the
materials ranging from 1982 to 2007.
Researchers who would like
to indicate errors of fact or omissions in this finding aid can contact
the research center at www.chicano.ucla.edu

Copyright has not been assigned to the UCLA Chicano Studies Research
Center. All requests for permission to publish must be submitted in
writing to the Chicano Studies Research Center Library. Permission for
publication is given on behalf of the UCLA Chicano Studies Research
Center as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include
or imply permission from the copyright holder, which must also be
obtained.

This collection was initially processed by Colin Gunckel between 2004
and 2005. In 2013 Cristal Gutierrez Alba updated the physical
arrangement and description of the collection.

Biography

Self Help Graphics & Art was founded in 1970 in Boyle Heights by
Sister Karen Boccalero, Carlos Bueno, Antonio Ibanez, and Frank
Hernandez. Today it remains a leading nonprofit visual arts center
serving the predominantly Latino community of Los Angeles. Its mission
is to drive the creation of new work by Chicano and Latino artists
through multiple art forms, including fine art printmaking.

Chronology

1970

Self Help Graphics is founded in a garage in Boyle Heights by
Sister Karen Boccalero, Carlos Bueno, Antonio Ibañez and Frank
Hernandez with a vision to begin an artistic revolution.

1972

Self Help Graphics & Art was one of only two organizations
(the other Galeria de la Raza in San Francisco) that introduced the Dia
de los Muertos observance as a public event in the United States. Since
then, Dia de los Muertos has become a wide-spread activity, celebrated
throughout the country.

1973

Self Help Graphics is incorporated as a 501c3 organization and
begins first artist workshop in batik and silkscreening with Linda
Vallejo and Michael Amescua as Self Help Graphic's first artist
instructors.

1975

Self Help Graphics creates the Barrio Mobile Art Studio (BMAS), a
large van equipped with art supplies. Its mission was to "to develop the
individual's aesthetic appreciation, to provide an alternative mode of
self-expression, and to increase the individual's appreciation of
Chicano culture." The program, although phased out after only five
years, serves as a model for similar programs in Los Angeles and
elsewhere.

1980

Self Help Graphics expands its mission to incorporate music and
the burgeoning Chicano Punk Rock scene and hosts the Vex, an all-ages
music club, hosting acts such acts as Black Flag, Thee Undertakers, the
Stains, the Plugz, and Los Illegals.

1982

Self Help Graphics begins an "Experimental Screenprint Atelier",
a workshop in fine art serigraphy. Ateliers center on a specific theme
such as the Virgin of Guadalupe, AIDS, the 1992 Los Angeles riots, or
the poet Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. Special projects are also
undertaken, such as the Maestras atelier, a workshop for female artists.
The production of higher-quality works opens up the possibility of
self-sustaining funding through the sales of prints. Stephen Rose was
the first master printer, Oscar Duardo the second, and José
Alpuche the third and current.

1993

Self Help Graphics coordinates Chicano Expressions, an
international exhibition featuring work by over 20 Chicano artists and
touring South Africa, Colombia, Honduras, Germany, France, and Spain in
1993. The exhibition, which traveled many local artists to various
countries, established Self Help Graphics as an internationally reknown
art center.

Self Help Graphics regroups and begins a major strategic plan and
capital campaign.

2003-2006

Without proper foundations in infrastructure and finances, Self
Help Graphics' expansion collapses and normal operations cease for
approximately 2 weeks. Self Help Graphic's Executive Director resigns,
as does most of the board of directors. Despite these set-backs, it is
clear that through the support, dedication, and hard work from community
and artists, Self Help Graphic's relevance is still strong.

2006-2009

A new board of directors and artist volunteer group forms to
address Self Help Graphics' challenges and to maintain programming on a
part time basis. Self Help Graphic's is board and volunteer led for
three years and overcomes challenges that threatened the organization's
existence. Self Help Graphics renews itself by leveraging the expertise
of committed working board members and thousands of hours from a core
group of volunteers and incorporates new business models that are less
reliant on external funding and more service and sales driven.

2009-Present

Self Help Graphics hires a new Executive Director and Program
Manager, and is fully operational. Spirited by the goal of ensuring a
long-term healthy future, Self Help Graphics moves to 1300 East 1st
Street in Boyle Heights in April of 2011.

Scope and Content

This collection spans the time period between 1973 and 2007 with the
bulk of the materials ranging from 1982 to 2007. It includes a set of
atelier prints, administrative papers, exhibition materials,
photographs, slides, audio visual materials, and ephemera documenting
the organizational history of Self Help Graphics and Arts and the
artwork that has been produced as a result of its community activism.

The collection is organized into the following series:

Series 1. Invitations, Cards, and Flyers

Series 2. Administrative Papers

Series 3. Exhibition papers

Series 4. Media and Press Materials

Series 5. Miscellaneous Materials

Series 6. Photographs and Slides

Series 7. Audio and Visual Materials

Series 8. Atelier Prints

Related Material

Self Help Graphics and Art Archives
California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives, University of California
Santa Barbara

This etching project was conceived by Gilbert Cardenas and Sister Karen
Boccalero in 1987. Five artists whose prints you find in this portfolio
were commissioned to create two prints each on the theme of new
immigration. The artists were provided paper, ink, and a small stipend
for expenses. Each artist produced two plates and two proof prints. The
project was entirely privately financed by some twenty art patrons. This
project would not have been possible without their support and patience.
The etchings were printed on Arches cover buff paper (250 grams) at the
Taller Romero in Mexico City, Mexico by Renato Esquivel Romero. The
prints were executed in 1988. They were printed on 15x22 inch paper in
an edition numbered 1-100, ten artist proofs (A/P), and five printer
proofs (P/T). The introductory sheets were signed, hand set in 16 point
Spectrum, and printed letterpress by Leda Black at the Eucalyptus Press
in Oakland, California in August of 1989.